This year's Spartan Spirit Award goes to Jack Nelson who earned his bachelors degree from MSU in 1972 and his masters in 1974. While at MSU, Jack marched in the band for two years, played in several concert bands, and played in Spartan Brass. He also marched with the Alumni Band a couple of times even though he had not yet graduated (Jack says, "Hey, they needed players!"). He is one of a handful of members who has marched at every Alumni Band reunion since the beginning in 1971. He is also one of a handful of charter members of the Strolling Spartans, a group of alumni who play as a pep band for tailgate parties before every football game. Jack is in charge of special events for the MSU Alumni Band events. In this role, he organizes alumni band groups to play for men's and women's basketball games and men's hockey games when the student band is unavailable. This usually means organizing about 10 events each winter including bands for the Great Lakes Invitational Hockey Tournament in Detroit. In addition to being active in the Alumni Band, Jack plays in the Red Cedar Saxophone Quartet, the East Lansing Kiwanis Band, and the Scottville Clown Band. He is also active with the Boy Scouts of America. Congratulations, Jack!